The folks at Be Active North Carolina weigh in this week on whether a four-year-old is old enough for a soccer team. The nonprofit, which works to increase physical activity and healthy lifestyles among North Carolinians, fields questions from parents once a month on TriangleMom2Mom. E-mail me if you have a question for them.

Question: I'm thinking about signing my preschooler up for soccer? He loves sports and playing outside, but I'm worried that at age 4 he's too young? Is there a good time for kids to start organized sports?

Answer: Developmentally speaking, organized and competitive sports are more appropriate for children ages 7 and 8. With that said, children develop at different rates and these developmental stages are age-related and not age-specific. Each child is unique! If done in an appropriate manner, organized and competitive sporting activities are great in building children’s confidence through challenging, team-based participation. If provided with the correct instruction and support, children as young as 4 could participate in an organized sport that will help them develop skills and confidence for later in life. Remember that children are not mini-adults and should not be treated as such. Modifying instruction and drills along with managerial factors such as time, space, people, equipment, and rules are essential. For example, in soccer with younger age groups, there should be fewer people on the field at a time, designated playing areas, softer balls, less air in soccer balls to slow the ball down so they can practice skills, and limited or no focus on points and scores. The bottom line is making their first experience with an organized sports activity a positive one. Encourage skill development, enthusiasm, effort, sportsmanship, and having fun versus winning.

Don’t forget to manage your own expectations and keep in mind your willingness to be involved. Are you prepared for your child to participate in an organized sport? Soccer for preschoolers may not and should not look exactly like the sport of soccer displayed by older children and adults, and it’s highly unlikely that you’ll discover that your son is a child soccer prodigy at this early point in their life. You may, however, discover that your son has a wonderful attitude and is a great “sport” on the field—that should be good enough right now! As a parent, it is your responsibility to monitor the experience, be a positive role model off the field, and assist in the experience when possible. Most coaches at this age are volunteers and have different coaching styles, so check to see if they have received any training in coaching young children. Be prepared to take your child out of any harmful or discouraging situations. If you don’t feel capable of being your child’s voice to make sure he has a positive experience in soccer, you might want to consider something more geared toward simple movement and fun like a tumbling class or swim lessons.

Here are a few key factors to keep in mind as you decide if organized sports are appropriate for your preschooler: the credentials of the coach and their coaching style; your child’s interest, motivation, and skill level; your child’s ability to understand drills, equipment, rules, boundaries, etc.; your child’s motor skill development; your child’s ability to understand the balance between challenge and success; and how involved and supportive you would like to be and can be.

See what the experts say on other issues by going to www.trianglemom2mom.com/ask and checking back here every Tuesday.